On the way back to his temporary residence, Manuel also recalled his experience that day at Constantine's coronation ceremony—
In fact, Manuel had not expected that he would receive more cheers than Constantine on the road from Golden Bull Square to Hagia Sophia while accompanying his Brother-in-law.
It would certainly be a lie to say he wasn't pleased. On the contrary, receiving the cheers of Constantinople's citizens at that moment undoubtedly made the Caesar feel incredibly invigorated. He also realized that because he had once thwarted the Ottoman, he had gained a reputation among the Romans, even on the west bank of the Dardanelles Strait, that exceeded his imagination.
But it was not yet time for him to fully acknowledge them, so Manuel ultimately suppressed his desire to respond enthusiastically, merely waving back politely and with restraint to the citizens, without making any excessive gestures inappropriate for the moment.
After seeing his Brother-in-law Manuel off, Constantine did not feel relieved. Because he still had many things to deal with next—
A few days later, his elder brother Theodore, who had been temporarily confined by the Basileus, was released and, as promised, received his personal territory of Selymbria as compensation; and at Manuel's strong insistence, Constantine did not send his younger brother Dimitrios to Mesembria, but instead confined him to a monastery; as for Thomas, who had contributed significantly, Constantine arranged for him to continue governing as Despot in Morea to stabilize the situation.
Next, it was the Ottoman's turn. Although Constantine had immediately submitted a memorial expressing his subservience after ascending the throne, he was still somewhat worried and anxious without a firm grasp of the situation, fearing that the Turk would use the previous shelling of ships to threaten him.
But just as his Brother-in-law Manuel had said, soon after, an Ottoman envoy arrived in Constantinople with the Sultan's decree, acknowledging his legitimate status and not making things too difficult for him. Only before departing, facing the Bosphorus Caesar who was still in Constantinople and even standing beside the Basileus, the envoy righteously commanded: "Manuel, regarding your country's ships rashly attacking our navy not long ago, could I please ask you to come to our territory for a discussion?"
"If it is the Sultan's invitation, then I am naturally most grateful. However, I must be allowed to choose the location for the discussion. Is this acceptable?" To this, Manuel responded with a smile.
Thus, after formally settling other matters with him, Manuel quickly traveled at the end of that month to Güzelyurt (Güzken), a coastal border city between the Ottoman and the Roman Empire on the Aemos Peninsula (historically, modern Obzor, Bulgaria). This small town had a name more familiar to the Romans in ancient times: Theopolis (Θεόπολις). Here, the Bosphorus Caesar would negotiate with the Ottoman regarding the current diplomatic situation between the two sides, seeking to temporarily bridge their differences. At least, that is what the Ottoman Sultanate claimed publicly.
And then, just as the Caesar had promised Constantine, after Manuel completed his negotiations with the Ottoman and returned home by ship, the Ottoman fleet that had been patrolling the Sea of Marmara truly withdrew into the Sultanate's ports, and merchant ships from various countries were thus able to continue navigating and trading there. The previous Ottoman blockade of the Sea of Marmara seemed like a minor interlude, quickly overlooked. And Constantine, who had no idea how his Brother-in-law had accomplished this, was utterly dumbfounded and perplexed when he learned of it.
However, solving the Ottoman problem did not mean that the aftermath of the former Basileus John VIII's sudden death had completely dissipated, especially since Constantinople still had an important person from the Apennine to receive.
It was time to directly respond to those troublesome Catholics, Constantine thought.
Upon hearing the news of Constantine XI's ascension, the Roman Curia quickly responded by sending an envoy to acknowledge him immediately. At noon on February 1st, half a month after the coronation ceremony ended, Cardinal Isidore, representing the Roman Curia, arrived in Constantinople and used this opportunity to continue discussing matters related to church unity.
Although Constantine had actively participated in the negotiations for church unity as a representative of his elder brother and the Empire at the Council of Florence, the Cardinal himself, out of concern for further complications, rushed to Blachernae Palace that afternoon to meet with the recently enthroned Basileus.
Since Constantine also had this intention, Isidore indeed quickly obtained an audience with the Emperor as he wished. Today, the Emperor wore a light purple chiton that had been specially cleaned, his beard trimmed into a neat, straight short-to-medium style, and he wore neither a hat nor a crown. Accompanying him were the Empire's Prime Minister, Grand Duke Lucas Notaras, and Foreign Affairs Director George Sphrantzes.
"Long time no see, Your Eminence Cardinal Isidore. May God's glory be with you." Seeing the Cardinal, whom he had already met in Florence, Constantine was the first to greet him warmly.
However, it was clear that the other party did not appreciate it, merely snorting coldly, indicating an unwillingness to exchange such pointless greetings. After a brief joint prayer, the Cardinal, who had traveled a long distance, quickly got to the main point of the day,
"Then, Emperor Constantine, when will you fulfill your brother's promise and use your supreme power as Emperor to propagate the true meaning of church unity to the ignorant lambs within the Empire?" At this, Isidore's questioning became noticeably sharp, causing Sfrantzis, who was by the Basileus's side, to feel a hint of indignation.
Yet, facing Isidore's questioning, Constantine XI could only helplessly spread his hands and smile bitterly, "Church unity does not entirely depend on me, and I cannot force my people; they must do so willingly.
"You, and the Curia behind you, can use all your means and cunning to bribe monks and high-ranking clergy, but if you cannot convince them, such actions are merely futile."
At this point, the Emperor, who was in his middle age and should have been full of energy, subtly revealed a trace of weariness. He stood up, waved his hand somewhat despondently, and the bitter smile on his face deepened considerably. "In any case, that's how it is. While I am happy to find any way to eliminate the Turk, making all Romans accept church unity is clearly not something one Basileus can achieve."
Speaking of this, Constantine closed his eyes, as if undergoing a painful contemplation,
"For God's sake, try to convert my people… they are now numb to the imminent danger."